After cast of Otho Paduan Sestertius
Dublin Core
Title
After cast of Otho Paduan Sestertius
Subject
BRONZE
Description
Obverse: Otho, bareheaded, draped.
IMP OTHO CAESAR AVG TRI POT
Reverse: Emperor clasps hands with one of three legionaries carrying standards; trophy.
SECURITAS P R
SC in exergue
An imitation Otho sestertius . Purported date AD 69 but originally made by Giovanni Cavino in Padua during the mid 16th century. All surviving coins of the hapless Otho (committed suicide 16th April, 69 AD after a reign of 3 months) are either gold or silver. For whatever reason, the senate minted no bronze coins in his name.
Be that as it may, this is the kind of bronze coin which would undoubtedly have met with Otho s approval. The portrait is a fine one, consistent with those on his precious metal coins. For the reference to Securitas in the reverse legend, we may compare the Museum's coin 70 (c.070), depicting Securitas herself holding a wreath and scepter. In an era notorious for its political instability, such a reverse provides a striking example of wishful thinking.
Cavino, assisted by Allesandro Bassiona, a scholar and antiquarian, produced a large series of imitation Roman coins known as "Paduans" for their place of production in Padua, Italy. These coins were not intended as forgeries, but many ended up in European collections and were considered genuine up until the 19th century. Coins continued to be made from Cavino's dies after his death in 1570 and therefore, the date given should be considered indicative only. Cavino's focus was on producing copies of rare types or, as in this case, historical concoctions, to fill gaps in the collections of Renaissance humanists.
The coin underwent an electron probe in the Department of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering. This involved putting it in a high vacuum, bombarding it with electrons, and analysing the electrons received in turn from its surface.
As a result, we know its fabric is a copper/silver alloy, with small quantities of nickel, zinc, and lead added. There is clear evidence of preferential crystallisation . The proportions of copper and silver vary in different parts of the coin.
After Cast of Paduan Original
IMP OTHO CAESAR AVG TRI POT
Reverse: Emperor clasps hands with one of three legionaries carrying standards; trophy.
SECURITAS P R
SC in exergue
An imitation Otho sestertius . Purported date AD 69 but originally made by Giovanni Cavino in Padua during the mid 16th century. All surviving coins of the hapless Otho (committed suicide 16th April, 69 AD after a reign of 3 months) are either gold or silver. For whatever reason, the senate minted no bronze coins in his name.
Be that as it may, this is the kind of bronze coin which would undoubtedly have met with Otho s approval. The portrait is a fine one, consistent with those on his precious metal coins. For the reference to Securitas in the reverse legend, we may compare the Museum's coin 70 (c.070), depicting Securitas herself holding a wreath and scepter. In an era notorious for its political instability, such a reverse provides a striking example of wishful thinking.
Cavino, assisted by Allesandro Bassiona, a scholar and antiquarian, produced a large series of imitation Roman coins known as "Paduans" for their place of production in Padua, Italy. These coins were not intended as forgeries, but many ended up in European collections and were considered genuine up until the 19th century. Coins continued to be made from Cavino's dies after his death in 1570 and therefore, the date given should be considered indicative only. Cavino's focus was on producing copies of rare types or, as in this case, historical concoctions, to fill gaps in the collections of Renaissance humanists.
The coin underwent an electron probe in the Department of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering. This involved putting it in a high vacuum, bombarding it with electrons, and analysing the electrons received in turn from its surface.
As a result, we know its fabric is a copper/silver alloy, with small quantities of nickel, zinc, and lead added. There is clear evidence of preferential crystallisation . The proportions of copper and silver vary in different parts of the coin.
After Cast of Paduan Original
Creator
Italy
Padua
Source
Gift of Mr BJ Duncan, 2004.
Date
c. 1600 - 1900
Identifier
C.214
Coverage
European
Renaissance
Late Renaissance
Files
Citation
Italy and Padua, “After cast of Otho Paduan Sestertius,” RD Milns Antiquities Museum Online Exhibitions, accessed May 5, 2024, https://uqantiquitiesonlineexhibitions.omeka.net/items/show/368.